Diabetes decisions — 2016

The VA determined that there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service and the Veteran's current condition did not manifest within one year post-service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the RLE, LLE and RUE have been granted with a rating of 40 percent for each condition effective from May 30, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide an adequate examination and address the issue of secondary service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. VA will also attempt to secure any outstanding VA treatment records from Boston, Massachusetts.

The Board finds that clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and its etiology. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The hypertension issue remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and a sweat gland disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, cataracts, heart disorder, and hypothyroidism, all claimed as due to exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated, including as a result of exposure to toxic herbicides or asbestos.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed in order for the claims of service connection for various conditions to be properly adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an arachnoid cyst, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and a vision disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating required for insulin and a restricted diet. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his diabetes does not require regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and a compensable disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 was not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and his right thumb arthritis is considered new and material evidence of a disability that existed during service. The Board grants both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses of diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, requiring further testing and examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for establishing entitlement to service connection have been met.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was rated at 10 percent prior to February 10, 2010 and at 20 percent since then. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the onset and etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this development.